Hong Kong police have made their first arrests under a newly enacted domestic security law, targeting six individuals for allegedly seditious social media posts. The arrests come just days before the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Key Details:
Arrests: Six people, aged between 37 and 65, were charged with sedition under Article 23 of the new security law.
Individuals Involved: Among those arrested is Chow Hang-tung, a prominent barrister and pro-democracy activist, already jailed since 2021 under a security law imposed by Beijing.
Charges: The group is accused of using a Facebook page to publish posts that provoke hatred against the central government, the Hong Kong government, and the city’s judiciary. These posts allegedly aimed to incite netizens to organize or participate in illegal activities around a “sensitive date,” presumably the Tiananmen anniversary on June 4.
Investigations: Authorities raided the suspects’ homes and seized electronic devices used to publish the alleged seditious messages.
Background:
Chow Hang-tung: Known for organizing Hong Kong’s annual vigil for the victims of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, which was banned during the pandemic and later under the Beijing-imposed security law.
New Security Legislation: Enacted in March 2024, this law supplements the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, expanding the government’s powers to suppress dissent. It focuses on crimes such as treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, and espionage.
Government Statement:
Secretary for Security Chris Tang confirmed the arrests, linking them to a Facebook group supporting Chow Hang-tung. He emphasized that the date itself was not as significant as the intent to endanger national security by inciting hatred.
Implications:
The arrests highlight the stringent enforcement of the new security legislation, reflecting Hong Kong authorities’ intensified efforts to curb dissent. This move underscores the broader implications for freedom of expression and political activism in Hong Kong.
Conclusion:
The recent arrests under the new security law mark a significant development in Hong Kong’s political landscape, signaling a continued crackdown on pro-democracy activities and further raising concerns about the erosion of freedoms in the region.